Recalls & safety ratings

1991 SUBARU LEGACY

Every NHTSA recall campaign covering the 1991 SUBARU LEGACY, and the crash-test ratings for the body styles that were tested.
  • 3
    Recalls
  • 111
    Owner complaints
  • 2
    Investigations

Sourced from NHTSA recall and safety-rating data — last checked 21 August 2026.

3 recall campaigns

A campaign usually covers only part of a model year's production, so it may not apply to a particular car. Check the VIN to be certain.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

NHTSA campaign 94V052000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Summary

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.

Consequence

SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.

Notes

SYSTEM: POWERTRAIN; TRANSMISSION; 5 SPEED. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: XT-6 AND LEGACY ALL-WHEEL DRIVE 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND LOYALE EQUIPPED WITH AN ON-DEMAND 4 WHEEL DRIVE 5-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS; REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: AK, CT, DE, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI. NOTE: IF YOUR EQUIPMENT IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT SUBARU SERVICE AT 1-800-782-2783. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NHTSA campaign 91V082000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Summary

UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.

Consequence

DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.

Notes

SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION PARK GEAR.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AUTOMATICTRANSMISSIONS (4EAT).

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

NHTSA campaign 90V184000 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Summary

TORQUE OF LATCH SCREWS ON FRONT DOORS MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME DUE TO A GAP BETWEEN THE LATCH BASE PLATE AND INNER DOOR PANEL UNDER THE SCREW HEAD.

Consequence

THE AFFECTED DOOR MAY NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE,PREVENTING EXIT FROM THAT DOOR.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS WITH "LOCK-TIGHT" SCREWS.

Notes

SYSTEM: FRONT DOOR LATCH SCREWS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FOUR DOOR SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

NHTSA crash-tests vehicles and rates them out of five stars. More stars mean a safer car. Ratings are per body style, so a model can appear more than once below.

1991 Subaru Legacy 4-DR.

Overall
Not rated

Frontal crash

Not rated
Driver
Passenger

Side crash

Not rated
Driver
Not rated
Passenger
Not rated
Pole
Not rated

Rollover

Not rated

0% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No

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